Joss and Main Wall Art: Designer Store Collection Reviews

Okay so I just spent like three weeks going through Joss and Main’s wall art collection because honestly, a client asked me about it and I realized I’d been sleeping on their designer stuff. Here’s what you actually need to know.

The Canvas Prints Are Actually Good Quality

First thing – their canvas prints aren’t the flimsy stuff you’d expect from an online retailer. I ordered this massive abstract piece from their Modern Collection, the one with the navy and gold brushstrokes? It arrived and I was genuinely surprised by the weight of it. The canvas is stretched properly, no warping at the corners which is usually my biggest complaint with online art purchases.

The colors though…okay so here’s where it gets tricky. They photograph really saturated on the website but in person they’re more muted. Which I actually prefer for styling rooms, but if you’re expecting that PUNCH of color from the screen, gonna be disappointed. I had to send back a coral/pink piece because my client wanted something more vibrant and it came looking almost dusty rose.

Their Designer Collaboration Lines

Wait I forgot to mention – Joss and Main does these rotating designer collabs and THAT’S where the good stuff hides. Last month they had this line with some Brooklyn-based artist (name’s escaping me right now, hold on…no can’t remember) but the geometric prints were chef’s kiss. Limited quantities though which is annoying because I wanted to order multiples for a project and they sold out.

The Lark Manor collection has been surprisingly consistent. I’ve ordered probably seven or eight pieces from that line over the past year and only one was a dud – this weird farmhouse chicken print that looked way more cutesy than the website suggested. Everything else has been solid for transitional and traditional spaces.

Framed Prints vs Canvas

The framed options are where you gotta be careful. Some of their frames are legit wood, nice weight, good craftsmanship. Others are that composite stuff that looks fine in photos but feels cheap when you’re hanging it. There’s no consistent way to tell from the product page which is INFURIATING.

Pro tip I figured out – read the weight specifications. If a 24×36 framed piece weighs less than 8 pounds, it’s probably the cheaper frame material. The solid wood frames are heavier and you can usually tell from the shipping weight listed.

What I Actually Keep Ordering

Their abstract canvas prints in the 40×60 size range are my go-to for client projects now. The price point sits around $180-250 which is perfect for that mid-range client who wants something custom-looking without the custom price tag. I probably sound like I’m shilling for them but honestly, it’s just made my life easier.

Oh and another thing – their black and white photography prints are actually really good? I ordered this series of architectural shots for a modern farmhouse project and the contrast was perfect, paper quality was thick enough that you couldn’t see through it when backlit. My dog knocked one off the table before I delivered it and the frame didn’t shatter which was…a relief.

The Textured Art Pieces

Okay so funny story, they have these hand-embellished pieces that are supposed to have actual paint texture on top of the print. I was skeptical because how good could that actually be for the price? Ordered one for my own living room (the teal and gold one, very trendy I know but whatever) and the texture is REAL. Like someone actually went in with a palette knife and added dimension.

Not every piece though. Some of them say hand-embellished but it’s clearly just thick print texture made to look like paint. You can tell by the reviews usually – people will mention if it’s actually textured or not. The ones that are genuinely hand-touched are worth the extra $50-75 in my opinion.

Size Reality Check

Their size charts are accurate but here’s what nobody tells you – a 30×40 looks COMPLETELY different in person than you think it will. I’ve had to return probably a dozen pieces over the years because clients (and honestly me too) always underestimate or overestimate scale.

I started doing this thing where I tape out the dimensions on the wall with painter’s tape before ordering. Sounds extra but it’s saved me so much return shipping hassle. A 60-inch wide piece is HUGE in a normal sized room. In a room with 8-foot ceilings it can overwhelm the whole space.

The Neutral Collection Problem

Their neutral/beige/cream collection is massive right now because everyone wants that organic modern look. But here’s the issue – half of these pieces photograph as warm beige and arrive looking straight up gray. The “Natural Linen Abstract” I ordered last month? Gray. The “Warm Sand Brushstrokes”? Also gray with maybe a hint of beige if you squint.

If you need actual WARM tones, look for pieces with visible brown or tan in the detail shots, not just the main image. I learned this the hard way after three returns in one month.

Custom Framing Options

They started offering custom frame selections on certain prints which is…fine? Not amazing but fine. The frame samples they show are accurate to what you’ll receive. I tried mixing a gold frame with one of their black and white botanicals and it looked exactly like the preview tool showed, so points for that.

The upgrade frames cost like $60-100 more and honestly, for most projects it’s worth it. The standard frames aren’t bad but they’re basic. If you’re putting something in a main living area, spring for the better frame.

Shipping and Packaging

This is gonna sound weird but their packaging is some of the best I’ve seen? Everything comes double-boxed with foam corners and usually wrapped in that protective plastic film. I’ve only had one piece arrive damaged out of probably 40+ orders, and they replaced it within a week no questions asked.

Shipping times though are all over the place. Sometimes it’s five days, sometimes it’s three weeks. There doesn’t seem to be any pattern to it. Plan ahead if you’re working on a deadline because their estimated delivery dates are…optimistic.

The Sale Strategy

Wait I forgot to mention earlier – they run sales constantly but the GOOD sales happen around major holidays and end of season. I’m talking 40-50% off. Never pay full price for anything on this site, seriously. Sign up for their emails (yes it’s annoying) but you’ll get early access to sales.

I have a running list of pieces I want and just wait for them to go on sale. Saved probably $2000 last year doing this. The selection during sales can be picked over though, so if you see something you love at full price and it’s genuinely perfect for your space, might be worth just buying it.

What Doesn’t Work

Their metal art is pretty hit or miss. Some of it’s cool but a lot of it reads very 2015 home decor catalog. The large metal flowers and scrolly things…just no. There are a few modern geometric metal pieces that work but you gotta dig through a lot of dated stuff to find them.

The gallery wall sets are convenient but they’re usually pretty basic. You’re better off curating your own collection of individual pieces unless you literally have zero time. I bought one of their pre-made sets for a rental property and it’s fine but nothing special.

Oh and their mirror-art combo pieces are interesting but really hard to place in actual rooms. I ordered one thinking it would be cool and edgy and it just looked confused on the wall. Returned it after a week of trying different spots.

My Actual Top Picks

If you’re looking at their site right now wondering what to actually buy, here’s what I’d recommend: the oversized abstract canvases in the Modern collection, anything from the Lark Manor traditional prints, their black and white photography series, and the hand-embellished textured pieces if you can find the real ones.

Skip the super trendy stuff unless you’re okay with it feeling dated in two years. The eucalyptus prints and cotton stem art that’s everywhere right now…it’s already starting to feel overdone and it’s only been like a year.

For resale value if you’re staging a home, stick with abstracts in neutral colors or classic black and white photography. Those read as expensive and timeless even when they’re not.